Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has declared that he is the sole governor of the state.

Speaking at the burial of his immediate traditional ruler earlier this week in Mbaede, Vandeikya Local Government Area, Governor Alia firmly stated, “For now, I am the only governor of Benue State,” in an apparent response to those attempting to undermine his authority.

“Here in Vandeikya, the entire Tiv land, I remain the Governor of Benue state, and if you do not want me, leave the state until after eight years, after my tenure, you can return.

In Vandeikya, which is my local government area, come and declare yourself Governor, unless I did not hear, he repeats him self again “unless I did not here (there was general laughter from the crowd).
The governor called on the people to embrace peace and live in harmony with one another and warned politicians with destructive tendencies to stay away from the stage as there no room for crisis .
He stated that as governor, he will continue to support the people to return to farming, providing incentives such as farm inputs and seedlings to farmers.

According to him, the people of Benue state have suffered enough at the hands of wrong politicians, saying that it is now time to move forward through quality leadership and programs that empower the people to be self-reliant.

He described the late traditional ruler as a peaceful man who loved his subjects and prayed for God to grant his soul eternal rest